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Verizon Sponsoring '2010 Global Marathon For, By and About Women in Engineering and Technology'

NEW YORK, March 9 /PRNewswire/ -- For the fourth consecutive year, Verizon is sponsoring and participating in National Engineers Week Foundation's Global Marathon For, By and About Women in Engineering and Technology, a 24-hour online event that strives to educate and inform middle school, high school and university women worldwide about opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

This year's theme, "Launching Tomorrow," provides a forum to inspire young women through a combination of live and pre-taped events, and virtual programming, accessible to anyone around the globe. The Global Marathon begins at noon Eastern time on Wednesday (March 10) and ends at noon the next day.

"From movie star Hedy Lamarr, who has a patent on a missile guidance system, to Sally Ride, the first woman in space, women have played significant roles in society as engineers and scientists," said Judy Spitz, senior vice president and chief information office for Verizon's wireline operations. "The Global Marathon provides a virtual venue for today's young women to discover the tremendous opportunities that exist for them in the fields of engineering and technology."

In addition to its sponsorship, Verizon is supporting the Global Marathon through network support for conference bridges and net meetings as well as providing pre-taped programming. Joining Verizon as sponsors are ExxonMobil, Motorola Foundation, Rockwell Collins and Symantec.

Spitz will close the Global Marathon with a session entitled "The Future is Moving in Your Direction," which airs at 11 a.m. on March 11. Susan Anderheggen, Verizon information technology vice president, will speak on "In My Shoes: Experiences from an IT Vice President in Verizon's Wireline Company," on March 10 at 1:30 p.m. Mishelle Coldren, Verizon IT executive director, will speak on March 10 at 2:30 p.m. about "The Successful Next-Generation Engineer: It's NOT About Numbers."

As in the previous five years, the Global Marathon brings together speakers from a variety of technology backgrounds, who discuss a range of topics related to women in technology and engineering. The complete schedule of speakers and how to access their live and pre-recorded presentations will be posted at the National Engineers Week Foundation Web site.

The event will begin in North America, then "follow the sun" for 24 hours through five other regions - Mexico/Latin America, India, China, Africa/Middle East and the United Kingdom/Europe -- before returning to North America for the closing.

Verizon also will leverage its IT Diversity Councils, located in multiple countries, to promote the Global Marathon in their local areas. The purpose of the Diversity Councils is to educate and promote a corporate culture of diversity and inclusion.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 91 million customers nationwide. Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world. A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of approximately 222,900 and last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $107 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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SOURCE Verizon